President Bola Tinubu has asked the Senate to confirm the Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Yemi Cardoso, as the chairman of the Monetary Policy Committee of the apex bank.
The newly constituted MPC will hold its first policy meeting under Cardoso, between February 26 and 27.
The appointment was contained in a letter from Tinubu addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Wednesday, February 14, 2024, and read on the floor at plenary.
The letter constituting the Monetary Policy Committee, read, “In accordance with the provisions of Section 12 of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Act 2007, I am pleased to present for confirmation by the Senate the appointments of the under-listed 12 persons as chairman and members of Monetary Policy Committee of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
“Olayemi Cardoso, CBN governor, chairman; Muhammad Sani Abdullahi, CBN deputy governor, member, Bala M. Bello, CBN deputy Governor (member), Emem Usoro, CBN deputy governor (member), Philip Ikeazor, CBN deputy governor (member), Lamido Yuguda, DG Securities and Exchange Commission (member), Lydia Shehu Jafiya, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance (member), Muritala Sabo Sagagi, CBN director (member), Alloycius Uche Odu (member), Aku Pullen Odukemelu (member), Mustapha Akinwunmi (Member) and Bamidele A.G. Amuh (member).”
Akpabio referred the letter to the Senate Committee on Finance, Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions for further legislative action and to report back in one week.
Also, Tinubu nominated Dr. Kelechi Ohiri for appointment as the Director-General of the National Health Insurance Authority, in a letter that read, “In accordance with the provisions of Section 40, Subsection 1 of the National Health Insurance Authority Act 2022, I am pleased to present for confirmation by the Senate, the appointment of Dr. Kelechi Ohiri as Director-General, National Health Insurance Authority, NHIA.”
Akpabio referred the confirmation request to the Senate Committee on Health (Secondary and Tertiary) for further legislative action and to report back to the Senate within one week.
The President also sought the approval of the Senate to appoint Yomi Fasua as the Commissioner, National Population Commission.
The letter noted that Fasua is to replace Kunle Sobukola who is billed to take up his seat in the Ogun State House of Assembly.
The letter read, “In accordance with the provisions of Section 154, Subsection 1 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), I am pleased to present for confirmation by the Senate the appointment of Honorable Yomi Fasua as Commissioner of the National Population Commission representing Ogun State.
“The Senate is invited to note that Honorable Yomi Fasua is to replace Honorable Kunle Sobukola who was earlier confirmed by the Senate, but is to vacate the position in order to take up his seat in the Ogun State House of Assembly, further to an order of the Court to Appeal, declaring him as the winner of the 18th March 2023 State Assembly election in Ikenne State Constituency.”
Akpabio, after reading the letter, referred the request to the Committee on National Population for more legislation action and to revert to the Senate within one week.